Writing the Next Chapter

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Self-Discovery 101

On my recent mission trip to Guatemala I learned so much about myself. I learned I could walk farther than I thought possible. I learned that sweat, though stinky, can smell like a sweet perfume if it is made in service to the King. 

I also learned that I am able to do what He has called me to do. 

The Rub

Sometimes we know what our purpose is, what our call is, but we do not walk in it. This leads to dissatisfaction and overall unhappiness with life, and sometimes with our relationship with God. At least, I know I have felt this way. 

You see, I knew I was called to "preach beyond the hills" (a personal word I received when I was just sixteen). I knew I wanted to be a missionary since I was about 19, but I thought I had either "missed it" or God had changed His mind about using me since then. After all, a lot had changed for me. 

I got married. I had kids. I had an affair. I did not have a completed degree. I was "just" a blogger. I am overweight. The list goes on.... Jon Acuff says in his best-selling book Quitter "sometimes living your dream is an act of recovery more than of discovery." (sic) 

These things are only part of my story. Not the whole of who I am., or who I was created and called to be. Yet, I let them stand in the way of doing everything God has called me to. 

I am a writer. I know the work there is basically this: butt in chair and type away. This is doing the work of a writer, I am a mother, I know the work there is multifaceted and includes being a chef, taxi service, disciplinarian, loving listener, quality time maker and so much more. I am a wife. I know the work there is being a confidant, a lover, a friend, a cheerleader, a shoulder, etc. 

I walk and function in all of these callings on my life, but neglected the call I heard as a kid.

Sometimes we disqualify ourselves before the game has truly begun. TWEET THAT

The Truth

The truth is I am called. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me so. I am usable, because Romans 8:28 says that God can use anything and everything, even the bad stuff, to bring Himself the glory through us. Ephesians 2:10 says I am His masterpiece called to do good works. Isaiah 55 says God is in covenant with me, and the nations are given unto me. This is the Word of God breathing life into me, and the voice of my Father leading me. 

"And that same Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach God’s people. Christ gave these gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.This work must continue until we are all joined together in what we believe and in what we know about the Son of God. Our goal is to become like a full-grown man—to look just like Christ and have all his perfection" Ephesians 4:11-13 

Jeff Goins in his book Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life says this: 

"What we have to learn to do is lean into the things that hold is back, to move through the pain and push forward." 

I felt held back, I felt bad about myself, and I felt justified in my excuses.  I was my problem, not any thing else. So when I felt prompted to take a step unlike any other I have ever taken in my life, I knew that I could no longer be held back. I am called to missions and I will serve where I am called. 

I could not stand on the sidelines letting life and my call pass me by any longer. I want what ever mantle God trusts me with and that means I must obey. 

After all, God is the author and finisher of our faith and He is starting the next chapter for me. I want to be on the same page with Him. 

The Next Step

The next step for me was applying as a leader candidate at Adventures in Missions. This group is the one that lead the Wrecked Vision Team to Guatemala. It is doing some amazing work. I have been interviewed and invited to attend candidate training camp in April 2013. I will travel to Georgia and see what God is preparing me for. 

This is a scary, yet beautifully exciting thing for me. 

I cannot do it alone. Here are four ways you can help: 

• Pray for me - as I embark on this great new leg of my journey. 
• Support me - going and doing does cost money. Even Jesus had a ministry account. 
• Like My Page - I have a page on Facebook just for all things missions related. There you can get updates and share encouraging messages.
• Subscribe - to this blog. Updates and stories will come here first and foremost.  

Thank you for all you do to advance the kingdom of God and for me. You are a great group of readers and I would not trade you for anything. 

Join the Conversation: 

What is next for you? 

Whiners are not Winners! Why I want to be a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Some of you may have seen the post Waste Not Want Not, A Proverbs 31 Household Hint and thought you had stumbled onto the wrong blog. I don’t blame you. It is not my usual post. But I have to say that since I started this with the intent to always be honest, let me explain why it is here.



I want to be THAT woman: The Proverbs 31 Woman. The problem is that I am nowhere near where I want to be. Let’s look at what Proverbs 31:10- 31 says (The Message)

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!



Wow, if only I were this woman! My husband and children, even my mother-in-law (who lives with us) -ESPECIALLY my mother-in-law- would sing my praises around the county.



The truth is that the other day a friend wanted to come over and hang out for some coffee, and I told her no because the cat box had not been cleaned, dishes were in the sink and I had not swept the house in three days. I told her why, and she was very kind to me, but it bothered me a lot.



Since then, I have intended to begin a new regimen to serve my family. And make no mistake: cooking for them and cleaning the house is a service and a ministry to my family and friends, and I have not been attentive to this part of my life at all. Now my house is no sty. Though in the past, I cannot say that.



When my father-in-law died a few years ago, my house looked like a scene from A&E’s Hoarders. If a friend had not come over and frantically shoveled dirty clothes into bags so my husband could run to the laundry mat, while I cleaned dishes and made the kids push a vacuum, then there would have been no place to hold the reception of friends and family after all the services were done. How shameful is that! I have gotten MUCH better, and the only thing that really piles up around here anymore is dust, cat poo, and a load of clothes (or two) waiting to be folded. This is usually as bad as it gets.



But I want better! I want my home to be hospitable and open and not to feel like I have to turn away friends when they need a place to relax and get away for a few hours. So I am going to begin a Proverbs 31 Household Hints post that will include updates, struggles and hints on things that I find as I endeavor to get better disciplined in my domestic ministry. That is why there is such an odd post below this one. It is the first of many, I am sure.



Now, please hold me accountable and also pray for me to learn the discipline I need to succeed. I know that I have to tackle this part of my life. Not so I can impress people with a “Martha Stewart” like home, but because I need to develop discipline NOW so I can live my dream later! (Thanks Jon Acuff and his book Quitter)



If I cannot take care of the small things, how will God trust me with the big stuff? So I am going to take 15 minutes out of every hour today and try to do something around the house that I have been putting off. I am going to tell myself when that lazy voice starts whining that “Whiners are not winners” and to “get off my rear and get in gear”!




Be blessed and be a blessing and remember that change is hard and it is also a VERB!

Forward ho!

I have recently trying to lose weight and got really disappointed when the scale did not reflect my new changes in my diet. I have to say I even got a little angry and thought “Then what am I doing this for?”

Well scripture started popping into my head and I quickly jotted them down into my phone so I could share them with you and what I felt like I was hearing from God.

First, I do not quit, but I ‘press forward to the goal’ (Philippians 3:13) Ever try winning a race going backwards?  My motion physically has to be the same spiritually. We must be striving to obtain the prize: a better relationship with God. Since God is the perfect partner to enter into a relationship with, that means that all of the work is on my end. I have to be the one who changes.

It has taken me thirty-seven years to end up where I am, so I know that changes are not going to come overnight, but little by little. This is how changes come with the Father too. We learn little by little and line by line. (Isaiah 28:9-11)

One thing I have been learning little by little lately is from a teaching my pastor has given on position versus condition.  My position is I am the daughter of God. I follow Him and because He is the way the truth and the life and NO MAN (or woman) comes to the Father but by HIM! (John 14:6) I am changed eternally INTERNALLY! The other stuff, the way I think, my bad habits, even the way I look won’t change because I get saved. I am still the same in those areas and that is my condition, not my position. We need to first learn the difference between position and condition before we make changes that will matter. (Matthew 23:26)  

Since we are not promised tomorrow that means the time is now!  Put your hand to the plow and do not look back! (Luke 9:62) this means I can’t give up on my new diet, and we can’t give up when the plow hits a big rock that hides right beneath the surface of the dirt.

That brings me to my last point. Obstacles. There will be obstacles in our lives hindering our way to our goals. This is true in the physical world, aka gaining ½ a pound instead of losing is an obstacle for me, and it is true in the spiritual as well. We cannot lose focus. Remember the first scripture, I press forward.  (Philippians 3:13)  I press against the enemy who tries to destroy me (1 Peter 5:8) I press against society (Romans 12:2) I press against that nagging voice of doubt in my head, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by THE WORD OF GOD, not the words of doubt in my head! (Romans 10:17)  So I will press against obstacles and I will tell them to be removed and I will MOVE FORWARD! (Matthew 21:21)  

In conclusion I want to tie this in to the Waiting on God series we have been doing. (What do you mean you want me to wait?  Waiting is Work and Grass for the Donkey, Gas for the Dodge) Dreams and visions are future things. So while we wait on God to bring those to life, we must press, we must move forward. Dreams and visions don’t dwell behind you, but they do dwell in front of you, so FORWARD HO! Onward Christian soldier. GO! GO! GO!  With Christ ALL things are possible. (Mark 10:27)

Be blessed and be a blessing and remember go is a verb!